EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen has described biomethane as a strategic European asset for energy security, telling the European Biomethane Week conference in Brussels that the continent "will still need molecules" and that biogas and biomethane are part of the solution.
"There is nothing more relevant than security," Jorgensen said. "Renewables play a big part to transition away from polluting electrons, but we will still need molecules and biogas biomethane is a part of those solutions."
European biomethane production capacity has now surpassed 8 billion cubic metres (bcm), supported by 36 billion euros in announced investments. Biogas and biomethane together supplied approximately 22 bcm of gaseous energy in 2024, equivalent to around 7% of European gas demand. The continent is home to more than 20,000 biogas plants and nearly 1,700 biomethane upgrading facilities.
However, the European Biogas Association (EBA) warned that the sector's growth remains well below its potential. A recent technical assessment indicates Europe could produce 35 bcm of biomethane annually by 2030, but faster permitting, stronger demand signals and a more stable investment framework are needed to get there.
EBA president Piero Gattoni said the sector "needs a regulatory framework that turns biomethane potential into investment, production and industrial demand," calling for workable sustainability rules, full recognition of biomethane in energy security strategies and technological neutrality in the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport and shipping.
EBA chief executive Harmen Dekker identified two barriers holding the sector back: the absence of binding targets and the failure to recognise the value of digestate as an organic fertiliser. He noted that around 98% of digestate already returns to agricultural soils but often has little or no market value. "Clear and appropriate end-of-waste criteria will be essential to develop markets for high-quality digestate products, strengthen Europe's fertiliser sovereignty and reduce dependence on mineral fertilisers," Dekker said.
A report launched at the conference by Common Futures and Guidehouse, titled Biomethane for a Climate-Neutral Industry, projected that industrial demand for biomethane could grow from around 10 bcm by 2030 to 35 bcm by 2050 — nearly half of current European industrial natural gas consumption. The study identified strong potential in steel, chemicals, paper, ceramics and industrial heat production, where biomethane can provide both renewable energy and carbon-rich feedstock.
Stefan Rauh, managing director of German biogas association Fachverband Biogas, said Germany currently produces 8 bcm of biogas and biomethane and expressed hope that a "well-developed green gas quota system" would be in place by 2028.
The European Investment Bank's Josep Oriol Bellot said the EIB delivered 7.7 billion euros for bioeconomy projects last year and is implementing around 13% of REPowerEU investments, making it one of the main financiers of biogas in Europe.
